The refugees from Gondolin, led by Tuor, rested in Nan-tathren for a while on their long journey south from their city's ruin. They were healed of their wounds and sorrows by Ulmo's power, which was strong in the land from his presence in the River Sirion. There was awakened the sea-longing of Tuor and his son Eärendil.[4]

In The Fall of Gondolin the 'Land of Willows' is located in roughly the same place as in the later geography of the legendarium, but Tuor visits it before, as well as after, his sojourn in Gondolin. Its beauty caused Tuor to tarry there longer than Ulmo had purposed — only leaving when the Vala appeared to him directly and order him to seek Gondolin. Following the sack of the city the refugees came to the Land of Willows and stayed there several years, until Tuor's 'sea-longing' drove them on to the Mouths of Sirion.[7]

Yet another detail about this region is given in these early version of the tales: the Land of Willows is said to be the place were butterflies of all kinds came into the world, and they remained common there during the First Age.[8]